Awesome Freebie: LogMeIn Remote Access

Wed Jan 3, 2007 5:27PM EST

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Dory Devlin recently wrote about using GoToMyPC for accessing a computer remotely when she's on the road. I've been a longtime fan of GoToMyPC as well, but it's got a huge flaw that has turned me off of it: It's ridiculously expensive, costing about $200 a year. Considering most people will only use the service a couple of times a month, that just doesn't make financial sense.

Windows' built-in remote access tool is great, but it doesn't work over the Internet. What I want is a free remote access tool that lets me get on my office PC from anywhere in the world.

Answer: LogMeIn, which many of us have mentioned, but none of us has thoroughly reviewed. Well, I've been using it for a while now, and I'm happy to report that it's the real deal. This is easily the best way to handle remote access needs...and it's completely free.

LogMeIn works over a regular web connection. You install the host software on the machine you'd like to control, and you needn't install anything on the client PC. Just visit the LogMeIn web site, log in, and the list of computers you have LogMeIn installed on pops up. Select one, then log in normally using the password for that PC. A miniature window, just like the one GoToMyPC offers, appears, offering a replica of your computer's desktop, where you can do just about anything you could do if you were sitting in front of the machine in person.

The free version of LogMeIn (a paid Pro version costs $200 a year) has only a few minor restrictions: You can't transfer files between a host and a client, and you can't print remotely. However, these are very minor issues, and frankly, I've never had need for them. (If you do need to transfer a file you can always email it to yourself from the host machine. Simple!) The company has additional tools designed for IT support, so feel free to dig around on the company's web site if you have more sophisticated needs.

Is LogMeIn perfect? Just about, but the price makes any of its rough edges rapidly seem very smooth. I don't hesitate recommending it as my new favorite remote access tool on the market.

Comments on Awesome Freebie: LogMeIn Remote Access

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  • 1 Posted by stlarochepierre on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm guessing the computer you want to access has to be turned on and connected to the web, right? Love reading your posts!

  • 2 Posted by dmg122884 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    It sounds wonderful, but what about the security of data on the remote machine? If you can access the computer it follows that someone at the LogMeIn company could do the same.

  • 3 Posted by fredrowlands on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm with a small computer repair company in Pensacola FL and we use LogMeIn all the time. Yes, it is awesome! We have clients in Orlando FL, Okaloosa Island and other far away places that we wouldn't have without a good quality remote access program. Many of our clients are setup as secondary users so they can monitor computers you select remotely. This enables them to view camera's from home, keep track of remote offices and do installs for remote/satelite offices. Also for those who want it LogMeIn offers VPN service.

  • 4 Posted by taficke on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    BEST PRODUCT EVER!!!! I am in school and when i forget my papers that i have done on the computer at home i can use our computers at school and email them to me. If you buy the Log Me IN Pro version you can even print to the local printer at location of which you are. Also if you are somewhere that only has Mac computers you are out of luck(i have only been able to try this on Mac's without the new Intel processors. If someone has been able to with Intel processors please let me know.) It is just to slow and lags(ALOT!) also it freezes you Mac and you have to reboot. TIM

  • 5 Posted by paul_soares on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    Windows RDP most definitely works over the Internet. You just need to know the remote host's IP address which may require some fiddling with port forwarding if using a router. Hamachi is another great, free tool. Go to hamachi.cc UltraVNC "SingleClick" is another.

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